As the anticipation builds for UFC 298, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is gearing up to defend his title against Ilia Topuria on February 17. This will be Volkanovski's sixth title defense, showcasing his impressive reign in the division.
A Champion's Track Record
Volkanovski's latest title defense was a third-round TKO victory over Yair Rodriguez, demonstrating his power and precision in the octagon. Despite a recent setback - a knockout loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 294, which marked the first time Volkanovski has been stopped since his fourth pro fight in 2013 - the champion remains confident. The Makhachev fight was a short-notice replacement bout for Charles Oliveira, who had to withdraw due to injury.
The Challenger: Ilia Topuria
On the other side of the octagon, Ilia Topuria enters the fray with an unblemished record in the UFC. He has won all six of his appearances, four of which ended inside the distance, demonstrating his ability to finish fights. Topuria currently holds the No. 5 position in the UFC featherweight rankings. His most recent victory came against Josh Emmett at UFC on ABC 5 last June, where he showcased his dominance.
Rescheduled Showdown
The highly anticipated showdown between Volkanovski and Topuria was initially slated for January. However, it was delayed due to concussion protocols following Volkanovski's loss to Makhachev. "Yeah, obviously, it was scheduled for January... We want to follow all protocols and do everything right," Volkanovski stated, emphasizing the importance of health and safety in the sport. "I think the timing will be perfect. I'll be back in there soon, but not too soon."
Confident Predictions
Despite the challenges, both fighters predict a first-round finish for their upcoming UFC 298 headliner. "He's a powerful dude, he's good everywhere. He's not one-dimensional, he's obviously very well-rounded," Volkanovski said about Topuria. However, the champion remains confident in his abilities: "I just believe my skills and my understanding of the game is just gonna be that little bit too much for him."
Waiting for Confirmation
The city and venue for the UFC 298 showdown are yet to be confirmed. As the event approaches, fans eagerly await more details about what promises to be an electrifying bout between two of the featherweight division's most formidable fighters.